One of the cornerstones of Japanese architecture is minimalism. The concepts of simplicity, purity and clean architecture have been adapted in their architecture all through time. It has been in their tradition and culture ever since it all began.

Simple Lines

But how do they reach this minimalistic appeal while being so luxurious and elegant? It first starts with the clean pure form. In Japanese architecture, houses tend to have clean square or rectangle shapes. They do not use deconstructive forms or even curves in their designs, and that does not only apply to the exterior of the building but the interior as well. The forms used are a mix between rationalism and the complexity of the structure. And what’s more impressive is that they have deeper philosophical, spiritual, and religious concepts behind them.

Materials Used

Another treatment used to strengthen the concept of minimalism and simplicity is the materials used. Only honest materials and treatments are used. The natural bare undecorated form of the material, the smoothness and sleekness of the material is what is targeted and focused on. Such materials are like wood, and in modern style Japanese buildings, concrete and glass.

Furnishings

The interior of a Japanese home is designed to be both aesthetically pleasing and comfortable, while at the same time serving the concept of minimalism. Furniture has clean lines to it and is made of honest materials like wood.

Most seating would be low to the ground, with cushions on them, and simple clean rectangle or square tables.

Lighting

Lighting of a space is one of the most important aspects that is highly considered in this style. Natural lighting is most important to the space, and comes before artificial lighting. Natural lighting fills the space with warmth, and brings peace and serenity.

This is achieved through having skylights (ceiling openings), large windows, or natural gardens inside homes. Heavy drapes that could block the light from entering the space is a big NO in Japanese homes.

Natural Colors

Another feature in the Japanese style architecture that backs up the concept of minimalism is the choice of color. Simple colors are typically used in Japanese homes whether it’s a traditional or a modern home, and they all come from nature, which also serves the concept of purity.

The main colors used that dominate the space are derived from the browns representing the wooden elements in nature, and the greens of the plants. Typically, the flooring is made of wood or gray stones. In some cases, the flooring is covered with tatami carpets made out of rice straws. The walls would be partitioned using Shoji panels. All of this makes a natural, simple and clean color palette.

Japanese design does not just follow the concept of minimalism, it inspires it. It manipulates the elements of nature to create something that is strikingly simple, yet harmonious and highly functional.

Japanese architecture has been recognized and respected worldwide for its unique character and aesthetics. What is most interesting is how it all began to reach what it is today. Throughout history, Japanese architecture has gone through changes many times till it has reached what we see today.

At first, this architectural style was highly influenced by China, but had a little twist to it that came from the Japanese culture, due to the available materials at hand. The distinct appearance of Japanese architecture started to manifest in about 57 BC. Before that, Japanese homes were made only of wood, with no flooring, just the earth beneath.

Up until 660 AD, the architects were influenced by Korea. They would use wood and stones in buildings. Wood became the most important material in their architecture as a result of their climate, which has a volcanic nature. This made it hard to find rocks that could be used.

Asuka and Nara

Then came the periods of “Asuka and Nara” and they were the most blossoming in the originality of their architecture, which was the result of integrating Japanese art and culture in their creation. In the 9^th century, there came an uprising Heian period which walked in the footsteps of the previous periods, but again the Chinese influence was a big part of it. Japanese architects at that time would travel to China learn more about their designs and would bring back ideas to be integrated in their architecture.

Temples made out of wood were the highlight of the period. They’d build a simple clean rectangle-shaped temple, with an artificial pond set at it’s edge. In the interior of the temple, a high platform would be placed which had a golden image of Amida. Also, an Amida sculpture was carved from wood using a newly adapted technique in which it was made of carved wood layers like shells and merged together from the inside. The interior walls of the temple would have carvings of celestials, each with a spiritual tale behind them.

Kamakura and Muromachi

The simplicity of the Japanese style of architecture started to unveil itself in the subsequent periods. Houses in the Kamakura and Muromachi period were simple and practical, but at the same time they would be beautifully decorated with art.

By the 19^th century, Japan was being exposed to the western culture. Hence, European and Japanese architectural styles integrated to create memorable buildings that still exist today. In the beginning of the 20^th century, modernists and expressionists started to manifest. Kunio Maekawa and Junzo Sakakura –famous Japanese architects- traveled to France to join Le Corbusier, the well-known architect who influenced contemporary architecture worldwide, and went back to Japan to pass on their knowledge.

Modernization

After World War II, Japan became more and more modernized. Buildings made of metal and concrete were adopted, and wooden buildings were abandoned, because they caught fire easily and were not durable during earthquakes.

Although Japanese architecture was influenced by western architecture, it still had it’s own unique look and form that makes it outshine any other. It involves spatial perceptions, with the utilization of natural materials and textures that make the user experience of the space quite exceptional. This style has undergone many fluctuations, and in the end has come to what it is now.

A style that speaks of a culture which many admire, and easily fall in love with its peaceful and aesthetic appeal.

Like so many things, Japanese architecture started as traditional and then paced towards modernism. Japanese architecture is all about the respect of tradition. Throughout history, it has made changes, but with respect to the culture and tradition which gave them constants that they cannot alter.

After World War II, the world began to embrace international styles of modern design. Europe and the United States started turning towards the abstract and simplicity of the new forms of architecture to keep up with the international movement. Luckily for Japan, that was not a problem. The concepts of simplicity, purity and clean architecture had been adopted in their architecture all through time. So, what was known to the rest of the world as modernism, was known to Japan as tradition. In fact, now we get to see the Japanese tradition even more clearly in modern Japanese architecture.

Traditional Japanese Design

Nevertheless, there are some features that distinguish the traditional from the modern in Japanese architecture. The traditional Japanese architecture has distinct features, especially in its interior design. The first feature is the Shoji.

Shoji Panels

A shoji is a panel (shown above) that is used in partitioning the Japanese house. It is made of wooden frames with translucent paper. The main concept behind using Shojis is to allow light to enter the space and to create a naturally well-lit environment.

Tokonoma

The second feature is Tokonoma. A Tokonoma is an area that is present against one of the walls of a room and is slightly raised from the ground. The intention of it is to receive guests.

Tokonoma Area

There will be present in that space a piece of art, such as a painting. Tokonoma reflects the sense of manner and etiquette the Japanese have.

Genkan

A third feature of the traditional Japanese houses is Genkan. It is a lower level floor at the entrance of the house and is where you leave your shoes when you enter. There would often be a closet in this area to leave shoes in.

Genkan Area

Tatami Flooring

The fourth feature is the Tatami flooring. Tatami are mats made of rice straws. What is impressive about these mats is that they are like-sized, and based on it the apartment or house would be divided using multiples of it. This feature also represents the traditional lifestyle of the Japanese, which is sitting and sleeping on the floor.

Tatami Mats

Ofuro

One last feature in the traditional Japanese interior design is Ofuro which is basically a bath tub. In the past, the idea of having a bath in the house was not normal. People would go to communal baths whenever they wanted to bathe.

Ofuro

As time passed, it started to become common for baths to be available in houses, but always in a separate room. The bath tub would be made of wood to be luxurious, as taking a bath is considered a leisurely luxury by the Japanese.  To this day, the wooden bath tub is popular and is still present in many homes.

Modern Japanese Design

On the other hand, we have the modern Japanese style. As mentioned before, modernism in the Japanese architecture didn’t change many aspects of the traditional, but served to boost the concepts of this architecture, which are the simplicity, purity, and peacefulness of it. What differentiates the modern from the traditional is mainly the materials used, such as steel and concrete, also the modern and technologically developed methods of construction.

An example to clarify this, the Shoji doors and partitions are still utilized in the modern homes as they offer elegance and save space. What has changed is the materials used in making Shojis. Wood and paper, for instance, do not offer sound insulation and that’s why manufacturers have started offering Shojis made of wood and glass. But the uniqueness of the Shoji remains untouched with its patterns and wooden frames.

There is not much difference between the traditional and modern Japanese architecture and that is a result of the fact that Japan had already outshined and beaten the whole world in a race that it didn’t even participate in.